The Solo Surge: Half of Young American Men Now Live Without a Partner

A global shift toward singlehood is defining the start of 2026. New data reveals a steep rise in the number of people living without any romantic partner. Among Americans aged 25 to 34, the share of men without a spouse or partner has doubled over 50 years. It now stands at 50%. For women in the same age group, the figure is 41%. This trend is not confined to the United States. Since 2010, the proportion of people living alone has grown in 26 of the world's 30 wealthiest nations. Experts are analyzing the social and economic causes of this widespread change. The so-called "relationship recession" is reshaping how people live.